ARABIAN GULF – Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) were awake early on the morning of Feb. 3, watching Super Bowl XLVIII live on TV while underway in the Arabian Gulf.

Some Sailors and Marines never went to sleep, but at 2:30 a.m., everyone that was awake was ready to cheer for their team.

“I didn’t go to sleep. Football is really serious in my family, and we love it,” said Culinary Specialist Seaman James Cenyonga, from Auburn, Wash. “So, when I heard we were going to watch the Seahawks game I couldn’t sleep.”

Culinary Specialist’s served pizza, soda, fruit, chips, and chicken wings on the mess decks for the crew to enjoy while watching the game. “For them to play the game live really boosts moral for all the football fans,” said Engineman Fireman Ryan Scott Mcmenemy, from Houston.

The game brought Marines and Sailors together for a night of camaraderie. It also provided a break from the intensive schedule of deployment.

“It felt like we were all sitting there enjoying something back home. I knew my Mom was watching it. My whole family lives in Washington,” said Cenyonga. “For one second sitting on the couch, it felt like I was back home.”

As for the game, the Seattle Seahawks took the trophy home, beating the Denver Broncos, 43-8.

“I wanted some competition but I’m happy we won,” said Cenyonga. “There was a lot of smack talk on the ship but by the end of the game it got real quiet.”

After the ¬¬Super Bowl it was back to business on Harpers Ferry. But, with some tired eyes, wide smiles and a lot of football talk.

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